LisaMergs

Gosh. The "hardest" thing was not drinking while eating. However, this is what I've learned- even though I eat slowly, I still finish before everyone else. I use that time to sit back and talk with them. Really engage myself in conversation. By the time everyone has finished and the table has been cleared, I'm usually at the 30 min mark and enjoy the last sips of Water or iced tea before we leave. This is eating out. At home I've not had that same problem. Thank you for the kind words.

Ok. Ok. It's only been 10 weeks. I'm officially down to 217 from 272. Almost 60 lbs with still a long way to go. BUT! Today is my bday. I feel better today than I've felt in ages. I didn't run from the camera! I'm shopping in the XL tops now in the "regular" section. Pants 16-18 from 24. Did I mention this is only 10 weeks out??? Got a hair cut today, bought some new clothes and got a facial w dermabrasion. So, for a little perspective- grainy pic is me at 280. Next picture is today at dinner with my hubby and family. Last one in front of my new porch. Best decision EVER. And I enjoyed a lovely meal sharing off others plates at a new restaurant a friend owns, eating the right amount, enjoying every bite and taste, and quitting before I was "full". Life is good. Next year at 50 - bring it on!!!

do you drink it with a straw? Or use the little spoony thing on the end?Ok, I laughed way too hard at the thought of the little spoony thing on the end. It's just that they have SO MANY uses those little spoony things....

do you drink it with a straw? Or use the little spoony thing on the end?

I know you will!!! Hope you're feeling better! Actually heading to the stores to buy some clothes today. I'm down to one pair of pants that fit- and I only purchased them last week. Today is my bday- going out with family and friends, and then tomorrow headed off to freshman orientation with #1 son for college- need clothes to wear!!! Lol. Wish me luck!

no chewing. oversized is always better. bigger straw = more flavor and it's hard to suck on a skinny little straw which is just frustrating. what's your preference, @@Dub ? Oh. I don't think he would want to have a preference to big or little, fat or skinny straws. He may have an opinion on whether one chews on them or sucks them though....

Personally, I think that spitters are quitters. Personally, I never spit.

Oh! For goodness sakes- go to a Spice Shop!!!! They have AMAZING blends of spices ( not spicy spices- just differing blends of seasonings, etc) that will open your world! Whether you are zipping up some cottage cheese to making a tasty, healthy stir fry, they sell little 2 and 3 oz packets for you to try without investing a crap ton of money. It is SO worth it, especially if you are not an adventuresome cook yet. The shop workers are knowledgeable on how to use them. Spend time sniff in them and learning about them, and bring 4 or 5 of the most interesting home. You will expand your palate, make your food tasty and learn more!

You have had great advise here. I think you may have "door mat" syndrome- my term, not a professional. I've not had that in any aspect of my marriage, except one- finances. My husband and I have very differing views, and I became a doormat to his tyranny for many many years. Counseling - first together and then alone- helped. My advise? Just stand up and tell him you won't tolerate this behavior from him any longer and to KNOCK IT OFF. Plain and simple. If he needs further explanation, tell him you love and support him, are dedicated to your marriage, but if he continues down this path you will have no choice BUT to make changes yourself. Period.

Ahhh. What a day to read this post!!! Today I turned 49. And you know what??? I'm ecstatic!! And what's more- I'm looking FORWARD to 50!!! The forties- while of course there were wonderful moments mostly related to my kids- simply sucked. Two months after turning 40- and being ok with it- I was diagnosed with a life altering chronic illness that disrupted not only my life, but the lives of all those around me, robbed me of my career, and led me down the path of morbid obesity. As I sit here today, I'm in remission, had a life-changing surgery to REMOVE my obesity, am more active 10 weeks post op than I was in the last 9 years, and embracing EVERY DAMN SINGLE MINUTE of it!!!! I see my face!!! ( Lol, and the now-visible lines!!!) Yesterday at my youngest middle school graduation people were coming to me in droves complimenting me on how wonderful I looked. Who would not love THAT! I look forward to the second half of my life, and am blessed beyond belief with wonderful kids and family, and the tool that this bypass procedure has provided me. God bless all.

Wow. And I have almost ZERO gas now since surgery. Before, I could CERTAINLY clear a room!!!

The First Annual "Straws are Good" Awareness Benefit. Or the end of a 10 year long vacation. One of the two... But probably the former! I'm a charter member of SAGA. My life has been one long one.....

Let me know if you need some company. I've got nothing going on until Monday. My pouch makes me feel so damn special in the midst of all of you cool sleevers! I hope I'm not stretching it by drinking this Jones Zilch Vanilla Bean soda. From the bottle. With a straw. My pouch will join yours in feeling " special ". I've always been told I was "special" so why not my pouch too???

I'm telling you- see an endocrinologist. It was my saving grace. She knew exactly how to get me off. I literally could not function once I got down to 20 mg if I went below that. Switching to oral hydrocortisone allows you to get off of it more easily. I KNOW how much prednisone helps us in order to carry out the bare basics in life and for that I was grateful. However, the 90 lbs I gained, the fact that I'm left with next to no adrenal function, the glaucoma it gave me, the high blood sugar....never again. NEVER again.

Is that based on research or personal experience?[emoji39][emoji39][emoji39]

Ooooh. Hello and good bye to the best worst drug in the world! 8 years. 8 fricking years I took 60 mg per day to simply walk across a room. Took 2 years and an endocrinologist just to get OFF of it. ( And I'm not including the monthly IV decadron I was given.) FYI- ORAL hydrocortisone is the best way to fool your body to be able to wean off of prednisone and avoid adrenal insufficiency /crisis. Those still on it do heal slower. It's a fact. I wish you well. As an aside, my RA has not flared since I had the surgery. First time in 9 years!!!!!!!!!

Any surgeons office worth their salt pretty much know what each company requires as far as preop etc. They should know just by seeing that you have a large standard carrier. The only difference would be if your company expressly wrote out Bariatric surgery coverage.

Get in sooner. That's a lot of weight for a man if everything actually is as you described. You may not know you are retaining water yet. Too many medical issues with unexplained weight loss/gain that could need immediate attention. Call when they open next.

I love bacon. Just not too crispy. Like my ends bubbly. Ooh. Bubbly. Like the chimp Bubbles. Damn. The monkey again. Would someone please get him off my back? I ditto @@Christinamo7 as I have teenagers as well. Three now, but who's counting? One leaves in the fall. He will be the University of Iowa's problem then...except they don't hand out money like mom does...they only take lots of it... But I digress. Back to the monkey. Maybe he needs a "heads up"?

Apparently SOMEONE woke up on the wrong side of funny.... Get a grip! We are simply having fun here! Perhaps, ladies and gents, we should forthwith refrain from any frivolity on these threads- someone might actually take us seriously!!! Can we go back to Cinco de Mayo? I need tequila.

perhaps assign each of your friends to be responsible to give you the 'heads-up' one day a week? maybe each thinks the other is doing it for you? just a suggestion...... That means he has 7 friends?!?! Lmao

Lmao. Technology. It's ok. She would kill me if she knew I tossed that out to the world!!

https://www.facebook.com/marylynn.pross/videos/10204054834554504/ Here. You can watch an old video of my daughter singing. Lol

Lmao fish lips!!!!!!!

Hey! Leave my chimp alone!Is this where that phrase "spank the monkey" comes in? Depends who's doing the spanking....